Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7

Um… I struggled to find six games with real significant drama. Bob Sanders will return to the Colts, but it’s against the lowly Rams! The Packers face the bumbling Browns, New England faces winless Tampa Bay in London, and Buffalo takes on Carolina. *shudder* Here’s the best of week seven in my Opening Drive! 

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings at (4-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 

So in spite of their early problems while without Troy Polamalu, the Steelers have emerged 4-2, trailing a half game behind the Bengals for the division lead. They welcome in the still streaking Vikings, who are making the rounds on the Brett Favre victory tour. Polamalu practiced this week and is expected to play, which should healthily improve the Steelers’ run and pass defense. Against Favre and Adrian Peterson, they’ll need Troy at his best. With Ben Roethlisberger coming off a 400-yard passing game of his own and Vikings Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield doubtful with a foot injury, this has potential to turn into a shoot-out. 

(3-2) San Francisco 49ers at (3-3) Houston Texans 

Houston could turn some heads if their second straight victory comes at the expense of the hard-nosed Niners. Singletary’s group should be fuming after their horrid loss to the Falcons two weeks ago. Still, I can’t get too excited about these teams. Both have too many issues to be legitimate contenders. 

(3-3) New York Jets at (2-4) Oakland Raiders 

Oakland is coming off a freak win against the Eagles while the Jets have lost their last three outings. Mark Sanchez has been launching interceptions left and right with eight picks in those losses. If they fall in Oakland, the Rex Ryan honeymoon will officially be over. For the Raiders, the rest of this season will be spent deciding if JaMarcus Russell is their quarterback of the future. Hasn’t looked like it to me. Oh Oakland, keep on suckin’!  

(4-1) Atlanta Falcons at (3-2) Dallas Cowboys 

Hey, did you notice last weekend there wasn’t an ounce of Cowboy news? Thank goodness for bye weeks. The ‘Boys are back this week as they welcome the Falcons into their behemoth of a stadium. I’m still not a believer in these Cowboys’ chances. Their running game is key to their success, but Falcons’ defense is stout on the ground, as evidenced by their game against Chicago. Matt Ryan should have a big day against a Dallas defense that has had trouble rushing the passer.  

(5-0) New Orleans Saints at (2-3) Miami Dolphins 

This is almost a mirror image of Miami’s match-up with Indianapolis. The Dolphins will play ball control offense and may find success with the Wildcat, but they won’t be able to match up points with the Saints. Drew Brees is far too accurate with the football to be human. 

(3-2) Arizona Cardinals at (5-1) New York Giants 

The past two NFC champions get it on Sunday night on NBC, hoping to maintain control of their respective divisions. Arizona’s Kurt Warner is playing like his All-Pro self, but Anquan Boldin won’t be near 100% for this one, so Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston need to pick up the slack in the receiver corps. Eli Manning and his Giants are looking to take out their anger after being embarrassed by the Saints in week six. Whichever defense can create the most QB pressure will win the game for their squad. My fake money’s on the Giants. 

(3-2) Philadelphia Eagles at (2-4) Washington Redskins 

GM Vinny Cerrato has come out and said Jim Zorn won’t be fired during this season. However, Sherm Lewis will be calling his first plays since 2004 on Monday Night Football in a division match-up. That doesn’t give me much hope for this game or any other game this season. Philly needs to roll over the ‘Skins to get the taste of their Oakland loss out of their mouths. 

Have a fun week seven! I’ll be back with the Final Drive Monday night!